Cue Cards Samples with band 8 answers
Describe a person whose job or work is important to society - Cue Card # 498
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IELTS Speaking Part 2: IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card.
[The topic for your talk will be written on a card which the examiner will hand over to you. Read it carefully and then make some brief notes.]
Describe a person whose job or work is important to society.
You should say:
- who this person is
- what his/her profession or work is
- how he/she helps others
and explain why the job this person does is important to society.
[Instruction: You will have to talk about the topic for one to two minutes. You have one minute to think about what you're going to say. You can make some notes to help you if you wish.]
Model Answer 1:
I believe this is a topic worth pondering from time to time. So, I would be more than happy today to talk about a person (and his job) who I think has a far greater impact on our society than any other person or professional.
The person I want to talk about is a policeman and also a cousin of mine, who has been working in the police force for more than 5 years now. I don’t really want to put my police cousin in a negative light, but initially, I didn’t like him working in the police force because I thought it would complicate his relationship with his family and friends by essentially turning him into an “unsociable” fellow.
After all, as a policeman, he would almost always need to deal with all kinds of “bad” elements of our society. But as time went on and I found how hard and tirelessly he works in order to keep the good citizens of our country safe and secure from dangerous and criminal activities, I had to change my mind about the job of a police officer.
Of course, some would argue that in a first-world country like ours, the police have a rather limited role to play since we are all, more or less, law-abiding citizens. However, that may not necessarily be true always. In fact, after seeing my good cousin help the elderly walk out of a grocery store and find her car in a parking lot, and helping a little, lost kid to find his parents in a stadium, I know that a police officer does a lot more than just keeping the bad elements of society at bay.
I think the job my cousin does is important to society because it is the dedication and hard work of police personnel, like my cousin, that we have managed to thrive and peacefully coexist in a beautiful country like ours. Besides, it is usually the police who always extend their helping hands whenever we are in any danger or distress.
Sample Answer 2:
Every honest job is noble in my opinion if it helps others. While police officers risk their lives to protect the people and ensure law and order in society, politicians devote their time to the greater good of the country. Doctors heal our illnesses, scientists and researchers put our civilisation one step forward, and this list goes on and on. However, for this topic, I'd like to talk about a person who is a teacher. In my opinion, her job is quite important to society and the country.
The name of this teacher is Mary Margaret, and she is an English teacher in a high school in our town. She is, in fact, a much-revered teacher among her students and colleagues, and possesses many other excellent qualities that make her an exemplary person in our society.
Teaching, in my opinion, is a noble profession. It makes society a better place by eradicating ignorance and creating an enlightened generation. In my mind, Margaret is doing it excellently by motivating her students to do better both academically and personally. Today, schools and colleges help us to enhance our knowledge and prepare us for the future. Creating an illuminated society is the main purpose of education, and teachers are helping us acquire the wisdom and knowledge we need to lead a better life.
Speaking of Mary Margaret, I was one of her favourite students, and her teaching style was impressive and effective. Her excellent teaching style and motivational talks helped me learn many grammatical rules and use English more fluently. As a teacher, she was quite devoted and punctual. She also encourages students to be punctual. She must be very proud that some of her students are in important positions nationwide, and some of them still visit her regularly.
Sample Answer 3:
It is indeed a pleasure to talk about a person who plays an important role in society due to the nature of his profession. I feel lucky, as I know such a man, and he is a relative of mine. Mr Alfred Cadman, my uncle, is such a person who contributes greatly to society.
Uncle Cadman is my paternal uncle and, in fact, the youngest of all three brothers from my dad’s family. He completed his graduation in journalism a decade ago and now works as a journalist. I believe his work is quite important to society. He is six feet two, with a genuine smile on his face. He is very friendly and has an aura around him that always makes him the person of the room. However, when it comes to reporting crimes to the newspaper, he is fearless.
He is a senior crime reporter cum special correspondent in a daily newspaper called "The Daily Life". He has been awarded special medals on at least three occasions for his bravery and fearless reporting. He has made it his social and professional duty to work tirelessly to report crimes and write reports objectively and honestly. As a result, he works around the clock and remains busy most of the time.
He contributes greatly to society as a journalist because he brings the truth to all and reports objectively. He works tirelessly to report any crime, discrimination or injustice he believes should be brought to light. Thus, he is a beacon of hope for society. On several occasions, due to his tenacious work and investigation, a crime could have been prevented or an injustice could have been stopped. So, I regard him as one of the people who bring about positive changes to society.
Model Answer 4:
Well, one person who immediately comes to my mind when I think about someone whose job is vital to society is my neighbour, Mr. Ren. He is a firefighter, and I genuinely believe that the work he does makes a huge difference in our community. Thank you very much for the chance to talk about this person and his profession.
Mr. Ren has been working in the fire department for over ten years, and during this time, he has been involved in countless rescue operations. His role isn’t just about putting out fires, but also about saving lives, protecting property, and providing immediate assistance during emergencies like road accidents or natural disasters. I often see him leave home in the middle of the night when the alarm goes off, and it makes me realise how unpredictable and demanding his profession is.
He helps others in ways that many of us might take for granted. For example, last year, there was a fire in a nearby apartment building, and he was part of the team that evacuated dozens of residents, including elderly people and children. Without his quick actions and professional training, that incident could have ended in tragedy. Besides responding to emergencies, he also volunteers to conduct fire safety workshops at local schools, teaching children how to stay safe during a fire or earthquake.
I think his job is extremely important to society because it literally deals with life and death situations. Firefighters like him put their own lives at risk to ensure the safety of others, and this level of courage and selflessness is something very rare. To me, people like Mr. Ren are unsung heroes – they don’t seek fame or recognition, but their contribution is invaluable.
Idea generation for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
This topic asks you to describe a person whose job or work is important to society. To give a compelling answer, you should mention who the person is, what their profession involves, how they help others, and explain why this work matters to the wider community. Here are twelve detailed ideas to help you develop your own answer:
1. A dedicated school teacher:
My high-school English teacher, Ms. Anika, doesn’t just explain literature - she builds our confidence to speak and think critically. On most mornings, she arrives early to run a free reading circle for weaker students. I’ve watched her tailor lessons so everyone, not just the toppers, can follow. She also calls parents to share small wins, which keeps students motivated. I feel her work matters because literacy and empathy start in classrooms, and she actively shapes better citizens.
2. An emergency-room doctor:
At the city hospital, Dr. Rahman works in the ER where minutes genuinely mean the difference between life and death. I once accompanied a neighbour during a late-night emergency and saw him calmly triage patients under intense pressure. He coordinated nurses, reassured families, and stabilized the injured with incredible focus. Seeing that teamwork made me appreciate how public trust is built shift by shift. I believe his job is vital because it safeguards our most basic right - timely life-saving care.
3. A night-shift nurse:
My aunt Shila is a nurse who often takes the toughest night shifts when wards are understaffed. Instead of just administering medicine, she listens to anxious patients and advocates for them with doctors. I’ve heard her talk about catching early warning signs because she knows her patients’ baseline. That vigilance prevents complications that statistics never fully capture. To me, her role is essential because compassionate, continuous care is what turns treatment into recovery.
4. A sanitation worker who keeps our streets healthy:
Every dawn, I see Mr. Jalal and his crew collecting waste before most of us wake up. He once showed me how separating wet and dry waste makes their dangerous job safer. I started sorting my garbage properly after that conversation. When their route is delayed, you can immediately feel how quickly public spaces deteriorate. I consider his work foundational to public health; without sanitation, even the best hospitals would be overwhelmed.
5. A firefighter who runs toward danger:
Station Officer Kamal led the team that contained a blaze in a nearby apartment block. I watched him coordinate ladders, hoses, and evacuations with crisp, practiced commands. Later, he checked residents for smoke inhalation and explained basic fire safety to us. That combination of courage and prevention impressed me. His profession matters because disaster response and community education together save lives long before the next siren wails.
6. A school bus driver who delivers safety daily:
Our neighbourhood “Uncle” Babul drives the school bus and treats punctuality like a safety device. He adjusts routes for traffic, checks seat belts, and knows every child by name. I’ve seen him wait an extra minute for a late kid, then make up time without speeding. Parents trust him because he communicates clearly about delays and issues. I value his work because safe, reliable transport lets families and schools function smoothly.
7. A smallholder farmer feeding the city:
On trips to my village, I visit Amin, a farmer who adopted drought-tolerant seed and drip irrigation. He explained how timing the sowing with changing rains now decides his entire season. I helped him lay pipes once and realised how technical farming has become. His harvest feeds urban markets that rarely think about the source. I admire his work because food security begins with people like him adapting on the front lines of climate change.
8. A software engineer building public-service tools:
My friend Nadia helped develop an online vaccination booking system during a hectic rollout. Instead of flashy features, she focused on accessibility - low-bandwidth screens, local languages, and clear error messages. I tested it for her and saw how small UI tweaks reduced confusion for elderly users. The queues outside clinics visibly shortened after launch. I see her work as crucial because good technology quietly removes barriers between people and essential services.
9. A social worker supporting street children:
Through a local NGO, Farzana spends her days counselling children, arranging safe shelters, and mediating with families. I joined one of her weekend outreach sessions and watched how patiently she earned trust. She celebrated tiny steps - attending school for a week, a health check-up, a legal document secured. Those milestones add up to real reintegration. I find her role indispensable because a humane society is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable.
10. An investigative journalist holding power to account:
Sohail, a reporter I follow, documents corruption with meticulous sourcing. He cross-checks documents, protects whistleblowers, and accepts slow progress over sensationalism. When one of his stories led to an internal audit, it felt like journalism doing its real job. I’ve learned to value verified facts over loud opinions because of his work. His profession strengthens democracy by giving citizens the information needed to make informed choices.
11. An electrical lineworker restoring power after storms:
During a violent storm last year, Rafiq and his team worked through the night to repair downed lines. I saw them in harnesses, testing circuits in the rain, while coordinating with the control room. He later explained lockout-tagout procedures that keep crews alive. The lights blinked back on, and the whole neighbourhood cheered. I respect his job because modern life - hospitals, water pumps, communication - depends on people willing to climb poles in the dark.
12. An environmental scientist protecting air and water:
Dr. Maya runs air-quality sampling near busy intersections and shares easy-to-read reports with residents. I attended one of her community talks and learned practical steps - like avoiding peak-traffic walks and using indoor plants wisely. She also advises local officials on data-driven policies. That bridge between science and citizens makes change possible. I value her work because a healthy environment isn’t a luxury; it’s the baseline for every other social good.
Vocabulary for this Candidate task card/ Cue card topic:
When describing a person whose job is important to society, using specific vocabulary can effectively convey their identity, their profession, how they help others, and the broader social impact of their work. Thoughtful word choices will help you articulate their dedication, altruism, and the vital role they play in the community, making your response both insightful and appreciative. Here are some relevant words and phrases:
Public servant: – A person who holds a government office or is employed by the government.
Example: My mother is a public servant who works as a teacher, which is a vital role in society.
Vocation: – A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation.
Example: For him, being a doctor is not just a job but a true vocation.
Calling: – A strong impulse or a feeling of being destined for a particular career or occupation.
Example: She always felt a strong calling to help others, which led her to become a social worker.
Essential service: – A public service, such as healthcare or sanitation, that is considered vital for a community.
Example: Nurses and doctors provide an essential service that our society cannot function without.
Community: – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
Example: His work as a community police officer makes a big difference to the safety of our neighbourhood.
Indispensable: – Absolutely necessary.
Example: In my opinion, teachers are indispensable to the progress and development of any nation.
Dedicated: – Devoted to a task or purpose.
Example: She is a dedicated researcher whose work will save countless lives in the future.
Compassionate: – Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.
Example: The compassionate care provided by hospital nurses is something everyone appreciates.
Altruistic: – Showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Example: The work of aid workers is truly altruistic and critical for those in need.
Social fabric: – The complex relationship between the members of a society.
Example: His role as a community leader strengthens the very social fabric of our town.
Contribution: – The part played by a person in bringing about a result or helping something to advance.
Example: His contribution to public health has been immense and impactful.
Expertise: – Expert skill or knowledge in a particular field.
Example: We rely on the expertise of engineers to build our city's infrastructure.
Integrity: – The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
Example: A journalist's integrity is vital for a fair and informed society.
Impactful: – Having a powerful effect on someone or something.
Example: The work of urban planners is impactful, as it shapes how our cities grow.
Pivotal role: – An extremely important part in a situation or organization.
Example: Doctors and nurses play a pivotal role in the health and well-being of a society.
If you prepare for the topic "Describe a person whose job or work is important to society", you should be able to talk about the following topics as well:
1) Describe a person who has done a lot of work to help people.
2) Describe a job that you think is useful to society.
3) Describe a person you know who makes a positive contribution to society.
4) Describe the job/ career you have or you hope to have.
5) Describe a job that helps make the world a better place.
6) Describe a person who cares about the environment.
7) Describe a job you are interested in.
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